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CarComplaints.com Notes: Ford changed a lot of things for its 3rd generation, just none of them were a good idea.

The transmission tends to hesitate and jerk when accelerating. The new electronically-driven power steering can fail suddenly and without warning. Even Ford's SYNC can be a headache. Actually, scratch that last one — it's always been a headache.

9.7

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
54,750 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. replaced steering column (3 reports)
2013 Ford Focus steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #7

Aug 142020

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I live in Puerto Rico. I bought this car on a dealership, they make me sign a paper saying that they are not responsible of any problems with they vehicle because was not a new car. Ok fine. I run the car and everything was fine. At 58,000 miles, one day the car wheel was hard to move out of nowhere. Turn off and on the car fixed the problem for few days, and now I have the problem constantly. If not the fuse and the company Ford don't answer my calls or emails.

I don't know what to do. Car is really nice but I don't feel safe driving it.

- Dianne A., Ciales, Puerto Rico

problem #6

Feb 092021

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

My wife started the car and as soon as she tried to pull off the driveway, the power steering light came on the dash and the Electric power steering became really stiff. She was in the middle of the street, so she struggled to pull drive the car out of middle of the street and parked it on the side of the road. Later that day when I came home, I started the car and everything was ok. This is a real hazard that need to be taken care of by Ford Company or National Highway administration will need to take action to deal with this issue before people loose their life.

- chelh1, Bowie, MD, US

problem #5

Oct 152018

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,770 miles

I took my car to a local mechanic for a routine oil change, they tell me a need a transmission flush. I call everyone in town and they tell me that Ford specifically has to do it. I take it to Ford and ask for a complete diagnostic... Well, they come back to tell me my clutch needs to be replaced on my automatic vehicle. Didn't understand that exactly but they said it was covered under warranty and that was all so they replaced it. I pick my car up almost a week later and the steering wheel is making a god awful loud screeching noise, sounds like metal grinding parts grinding on each other - its not exactly easy to turn now. Well, I left the dealership thinking hmm maybe it'll go away... A day and a half after I pick it up, I call the dealer to explain and ask why the hell my car is making this noise. They said, hmmm, not sure why but I'll look into it.

Mind you - I ASKED FOR A FULL DIAGNOSTIC WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. NEVER GOT INFO ABOUT THIS STEERING ISSUE. SO I complained about it and they said they'll look into it and call me back. Call me back about 5 minutes later saying that the tech realized there was a problem but forgot to tell someone... Wow, ok. So then the guy said, we think that something may have gotten caught up in the gears, but explained the fix to need a new steering gear, which he then estimated to cost $2,100 of course. I hung up because I was in shock. My husband calls and the man says that in the day and a half I've had it back that I must have jacked it up!!! I should've pulled back into the parking lot right when I heard it! So now they're saying its my fault... Yet it was NOT making this noise when I brought it to them for work.

So I have to use my vehicle to TRANSPORT MY CLIENTS for work. Well, I don't feel safe in it now and I'm sure they won't either with the steering being jerkish and making HORRIBLE noises. I am so sick of the problems with this car and I've only owned it since this February. and I owe the principal balance still since the dealer took out $8,000 of warranties on my car loan... If I trade it in its worth basically nothing so now I have to try to stick it out and somehow PAY for this expensive fix. I'm at a loss....

- Katie G., Omaha, US

problem #4

Aug 112018

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Do not purchase a Ford Focus. I would stay away from Ford in general. My 2013 Ford Focus SE Power steering would go out and cut back on. This started in August. I went to the Ford dealership right after it happened and they told me nothing was wrong. Then I go to another dealership and pay $150 for a diagnostic. They tell me that I need a power steering control module that will cost about $1,500, labor $1,000 and Ford has to flash my computer system for $200. I don't have $2,700 for car repairs.

Two weeks later my car is extremely hard to turn and a message is now on the dash telling me that my power steering has failed. I call Ford and tell them about the diagnostic I received and what is going on with the car now and they tell me that I have to pay for another diagnostic before they fix my car. So, I begin to do my research on the issue to see if there is a recall and there is not.

- Keisha E., Las Vegas, US

problem #3

Aug 042016

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,244 miles

when 2013 ford focus was turned on at gas station a power steering assisted fault came on and wife who recently had a rotator cuff surgery could not drive the car. so me being a US MARINE took over and drove the car home. took the car to dealer who stated 2013 ford focus needs a new steering column thank you for your time. as my DAD said don't bother looking for trouble life will give u plenty concerning transmission fault car went into neutral going up a hill

- ceo anthonygarcia, Pontiac, MI, US

problem #2

Jul 012013

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,500 miles

6 times in the Service Dept for the transmission, and Ford has the nerve to offer me a free oil change for this matter? Really a free oil change! Wow. Then the Ford Rep said I can give you the X Plan to buy another Ford. Wanting to get rid of the Focus, I went to the dealer who doesn't want my Focus, also said the X Plan will give me 1400 off a $31,930 car. I can do a better deal without the X Plan. And why would I buy another Ford knowing they won't take care of me on my Focus. Sorry, but you can keep your free oil change and you can keep your X Plan (joke). Why would I put my money in your pocket when you don't stand behind your products? Why? Oh and 4 other times to try and fix the steering electrical problems. Can you say safety issue?

- Shawn K., Saint Augustine, FL, US

problem #1

Jul 212013

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,500 miles

not long after i got my new car i noticed i was all over the road. i was going about 55mph. i went to the dealership and they said with small cars they do that with the groves in the road. i believed them. i had no reason not too. well on july 21 2013 i was driving home to ohio from chicago. about an hour into the trip my steering got stiff and hard to control. it was sticking. i pulled over at a rest stop and i had someone check my tires. my tires were fine so i though it was a fluke. so my young son and i got back on the road and it started again. it did this the whole way home.what should have taken me 6 1/2 hours took 10 and a half. i had to stop a lot because i was scared and my hands hurt from gripping the steering wheel. i brought it into the dealership again. they kept it a week and said that nothing was wrong with it. I don't know what to do. it is still doing it. someone please help me...

- Cindi R., Hartville, OH, US

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